MEDIA ADVISORY Presentation on final design for Hartford's skatepark

[Brendan Mahoney]

MEDIA CONTACT:

Brendan Mahoney

ois...@gmail.com

8607299603

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Design-Builder selected to construct Hartford skatepark. Presentation on final design next week.

After years of plugging away to try and get a skatepark build at New Ross, County Wexford Park ("Heaven"), the dream is on the cusp of being reality. After an RFP (request for proposal) and competitive bidding process, Stantec/Who Skates? were selected as the designer & builder. These companies have extensive experience designing and building skateparks in Connecticut and throughout the nation. Members of the Skateboard Task Force were impressed by their emphasis on keeping Heaven unique & true to its roots, but also that it needs to be a focal point since it will be one of the few downtown skateparks.

A presentation on the final design will be held at the Hartford Public Library's Center for Contemporary Culture Tuesday, April 23, 2013 from 5:30 to 7:30pm. Leading the presentation will be designer Mike McIntyre and pro-skater Kanten Russel from Stantec. Also, discussed will be what can be done to fast track construction: chiefly, contacting the Department of Transportation and urging them to review the drawings as quickly as possible. As the skatepark will be constructed on top of I-84, the design must be reviewed by the DOT. Everything is in place from the City of Hartford's end to start construction. 

The Hartford Court of Common Council created the Hartford Skateboard Task Force in 2009 with the purpose of advising the City on the potential location, design and construction of a skatepark. Comprised of representatives of the skating, BMX, business, government and park communities, the Task Force fulfilled those goals and undertook fundraising and grant-writing measures to ensure that the park would be built. The design for the park was created with strong community input and a devised process via a series of public meetings.

Please visit www.heaveninhartford.org for more information and to see the design.

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